Tag: Bucket List

I’ve done the impossible by running (and finishing without puking) my first 5K in August 2011. I’ve run a handful of organized 5Ks since then and a “5 miler” in January. But I’ll be honest, I’ve been running just enough to keep my momentum, but not enough to improve. Until lately.

I’m training for a 10K in May!

Running the annual 10K where I live has been a whisper of an idea for about 10 years. I’ve watched family and friends run it while having that “someday” mentality for myself.

Well darlin’ — (knock knock) SOMEDAY IS HERE!

Hello SOMEDAY. Say hello to my little friend, Hal Higdon.

For those of you who don’t know, Hal Higdon is the go-to guy when training for your run. My son turned me on to him a few months ago and Hal has been with me everyday since I’ve been training. I selected the 10K Training Guide – Novice Program since I’m clearly not ready for the Intermediate Program and the Advanced training looks like it’s meant for someone who wants to win the darn thing.

The Novice Program is six days a week of cardio and strength training for 8-weeks. I’m in my 6th week, and at 49, I have never worked out this hard or often in my life. I finally understand what a runners high is as well as needing to get my workout in and I FEEL GREAT!

Thank you Hal Higdon.

Hello SOMEDAY!

*Note — this post was written 2 weeks ago while my website was under construction. The 10K is on May 5th, 3 days away from this posting!

Three months ago I couldn’t run a mile, and I recently ran my first 5K!

I ran it on the perfect day and in the perfect place: August 6th in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Why perfect? Because I haven’t lived in Minneapolis for about 25 years, but it’s where my heart calls home. And, August 6th is the day my high school boyfriend lost his life to a drunk driver 32 years ago. It was a long time ago, but this tragic event impacted my life in numerous ways and “my first love” has been in my heart ever since. As I tend to add emotional sentiment to things, this little 5K was a sort of “coming full circle” event for me. I found it very poetic and even cathartic.

Huffing and puffing for 3.1 miles, my playlist steeped in the classic rock that my boyfriend and I loved, Van Halen, Zepplin and Rush (to honor the 1979 concert we saw together), was a nod to where I’ve been and how far I’ve come. From broken, lost and running from pain. To whole, present and running towards life and health.

Running. From enemy to friend. Hello new friend!

Early morning, pre-race. One of us will win it and the other will be happy to finish!

What would you do if you knew you had twenty years to live? How would you
live the rest of your life?

I recently realized twenty years could be all the time I have left to live with a sound mind. Both my mother and grandmother were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s when they were about 70. My mom was 68. I am 50 — you do the math.

If the Alzheimer’s clock is ticking in my brain and the timer goes off in 20 years or so, I’ll still be alive but . . . . what kind of life will I have? I’m not saying I will get Alzheimer’s in 20 years, I’m saying the odds are not in my favor.

What would you do if Alzheimer’s was staring you down through the barrel of a gun?

Would you wait for the trigger to be pulled? Or would you start running?

After being dazed for a bit by my realization — I started running — figuratively and literally. I began Racing Alzheimer’s by learning everything I could about healthy living and Alzheimer’s prevention and then I started doing one of the best things I could do for my brain — I began exercising. And yes, running.

I learned that it might be possible to prevent Alzheimer’s disease — or at least delay it until I’m 90 when I won’t care so much. But while I’m focused on prevention I also want to talk about intention — as in living with intention, and being present and grateful for every minute I have, whether the gun goes off or not. I want my eyes and my heart to be wide open and I want to say YES more and NO when I should. I want to be mindful and present in my life because twenty years can go by quickly and I don’t want to miss a thing. I mean, I thought I was paying attention during the last twenty years, and they still went by in about 20 seconds.

“How will you live the rest of your life?”

It sounds a bit cliche, but the “Bucket List” is an invaluable tool for living with intention. I didn’t have one before, but I do now because it’s an effective way to laser in on those things I’ve always thought about doing but sort of shrugged off. It’s kind of like my 20 year plan. I’ve included some things I’ve already done because they were awesome and they would have been on my list anyway. (Plus, I like having some things crossed off already.) The most important item is at the top of my list and everything else is random.

Play with my grandchildren
Plan/Attend family reunionSee the Grand Canyon
Become a Master GardenerBe a Alzheimer’s Support Group Facilitator
Volunteer at a wild life refuge
Volunteer at a local HospiceMeet Jane Goodall
Research Ancestors
Go on a Scandinavian cruiseAttend Tom Petty Concert
Climb Machu Picchu
Traverse the Rain Forest canopy
Hike in NepalGo to New York CitySee Broadway Show
Go to major concert with children
Help build a home or schoolWrite a Book and/or BlogCreate a websiteLearn to speak Spanish
Take a photography class
Hold a “Free Hugs” sign in a crowdSee “A Prairie Home Companion”Go to Italy
Attend Marriage Retreat with husband
Write “Letters to my Children”Run a 5KAttend U2 Concert
Create art to displayParticipate in Alzheimer’s Research
Participate in the D.C. “Walk to end Alzheimer’s”
See Saturday Night LIVE!Run a 10K
Meet OprahRun Twin Cities 10 Miler
Do 5 (real) push-ups
Take a writing classAttend Van Halen Concert(Really) learn yogaGo Snorkeling
Ice Skate in Central Park
Drive across America
Run around Lakes Nokomis, Harriet, Calhoun
Go to MN State FairAttend Meditation Retreat
Participate in Protest or March
Bike Minneapolis “Grand Round”
Sky Dive
Fire Walk